Chest protector with energy absorbing member

ABSTRACT

An energy absorbing member that may be coupled to a chest protector like those worn by baseball or softball catchers and/or umpires is provided. The energy absorbing member may be releasably attachable with, or permanently sewn or riveted into, an upper central region of the chest protector. The energy absorbing member includes a backing plate having low elasticity that abuts the chest protector. The energy absorbing member further includes a front plate attached to the backing plate that preferably projects outwardly from the backing plate to form a hollow interior portion between the plates. The front plate is preferably an arcuate, convex plate that is able to distribute energy and deflects a batted or pitched ball so that absorbing member may absorb and distribute energy from the ball along the chest.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/541,312 entitled CHEST PROTECTOR WITH ENERGY ABSORBING MEMBER, filed Aug. 4, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is generally directed to a chest protector of the type used by catchers and umpires in baseball or softball games, or in other sports. More particularly, the present invention relates to a chest protector with an absorbing member placed near the chest region.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Chest protectors, such as those worn by baseball or softball catchers and umpires, protect the wearer from the impact of a baseball or softball. Such impact might normally occur when a ball is “foul-tipped” by a batter or when a ball is blocked by a catcher. Such “foul-tips” most often strike the catcher or umpire, and chest protectors have been used in the past to reduce/eliminate such damage. Conventional baseball chest protectors are traditionally manufactured by placing small pieces of foam between front and back pieces of fabric. Sometimes the foam is glued in place. Generally, the pieces of fabric are stitched to each other along their peripheral borders, as well as in voids between the pieces of foam, and sometimes through the foam. Other chest protectors use cotton, which is simply pushed into ribs or chambers of the fabric and appropriately stitched.

The process of manufacturing such chest protectors is labor intensive and time consuming, and the protection afforded thereby is nominal at best. Those traditional or conventional chest protectors also cannot diffuse the force of impact created by a high-speed baseball or softball. This is particularly true of conventional chest protectors that include a plurality of spaced or separated ribs. The spacing between the ribs offers no protection to the wearer of such conventional rib chest protectors.

As such, catchers or umpires often are struck by batted or pitched balls, with little to no padding for protection. This can become dangerous to the point of death, especially when a ball strikes a catcher or umpire near the heart. In response to this risk, sporting goods manufacturers have developed chest protectors that add high performance foam or increase foam thickness on the chest protector near the heart. Unfortunately, this solution adds weight to the chest protector and creates a bulky design. Such a heavy, bulky design can be especially problematic for catchers, who are expected to make defensive plays when wearing such chest protectors and other catching equipment that is also bulky (e.g., shin guards and a helmet).

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In keeping with the foregoing, an energy absorbing member is preferably provided that may be attached to the chest area of a chest protector or integrated into a chest protector located in the chest region near the heart. The absorbing member preferably faces outwardly away from the chest protector when attached or built into the chest protector.

The absorbing member is generally comprised of a backing plate and a front plate, which may be outwardly bowed in some embodiments. A gap is preferably provided between the backing plate and the front plate. The backing plate preferably lies flush against the chest protector when worn or built into the chest protector. The backing plate is preferably made of a rigid or soft material with low elasticity. The backing plate should have low elasticity so that to the extent the absorbing member absorbs a blow from a batted or pitched ball, the backing plate should not deform such that the chest area of the wearer would absorb the blow of the ball. In some embodiments, the backing plate may be riveted or otherwise attached to fabric of the chest protector.

In a first embodiment, the front plate is preferably an arcuate, convex plate attached to the backing plate that projects outwardly from the backing plate. However, in some embodiments, the front plate may be substantially flat or even concave. The front plate preferably distributes load generated by a batted or pitched ball and deflects the ball so that the front plate may absorb and distribute energy from the ball along the chest, preferably by flexing inwardly toward the gap between the front plate and the backing plate before returning to its original configuration. The front plate may be made from a variety of materials including metal, plastic, or a composite material.

In some embodiments, a stiffening member may be placed in the gap or opening between the backing and front plates, such that it is in contact with each of the backing and front plates. The stiffening member, which may be in the form of a truss structure, preferably adds to the stiffness of the absorbing member to increase its absorptive qualities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a chest protector and a first embodiment of an absorbing member constructed according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional top plan view of the absorbing member of FIG. 1 taken across like 2-2.

FIG. 3 is a first perspective view of a second embodiment of the absorbing member of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a second perspective view of the second embodiment of the absorbing member of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to an absorbing member that may be selectively attached to or built into a traditional chest protector to provide a lightweight, efficient device to help protect catchers and umpires alike from batted and pitched balls. An example chest protector 1 is provided in FIG. 1 that is meant to be worn by a baseball or softball catcher. An absorbing member 5 that can be attached to or built into the chest protector 1 is also shown as exploded from the chest protector 1 in FIG. 1.

A chest protector for use with the absorbing member 5 may take on a number of forms, but the chest protector 1 is provided to give an example for the type of chest protector with which the absorbing member 5 may be used. Any chest protector such as the chest protector 1 that is worn on the chest of a catcher (or a similar known and long-used chest protector worn by an umpire) may be used with the absorbing member 5, so long as the chest protector covers a portion of a wearer's chest.

The absorbing member 5 is preferably attached to or built into the chest protector 1 in a central, upper region 10 of the chest protector 1. The region 10 is preferably positioned and located in approximately the general area in which a wearer's heart is located beneath the chest protector 1. The absorbing member 5 may be coupled to the chest protector 1 in a number of ways.

For example, a backing plate 15 (described in greater detail below) of the absorbing member that typically abuts a wearer's chest may include a hook and loop fastening material for selective attachment with complementary hook and loop material placed on the region 10 of the chest protector 1. That way, a wearer is able to selectively remove the absorbing member 5 from the chest protector 1 when he or she chooses to do so. For example, a wearer may wish to remove the absorbing member 5 from the chest protector 1 to replace the absorbing member 5 when it is worn out and may have lost some effectiveness. Other non-permanent means for selectively attaching the absorbing member 5 to the chest protector 1 are also herein envisioned. Such methods may include a pocket installed in the region 10 that is able to selectively receive the absorbing member 5. Alternatively, the absorbing member 5 may be selectively attached to the region 10 of the chest protector 1 using a zipper, button, or other similar fastening system.

In yet another alternative embodiment, the chest protector 1 may be provided with the absorbing member 5 stitched, riveted, or otherwise more permanently attached to or built into the chest protector 1 in the region 10. That way, a wearer does not need to worry about the absorbing member 5 becoming detached from the chest protector 1 and potentially getting lost.

The absorbing member 5 generally includes each of a backing plate 15 and a front plate 20. The plates 15, 20 are shown and illustrated in FIG. 1, and also in greater detail in FIG. 2, where a sectional top view of the attachment member 5 is provided. The backing plate 15 is the plate of the absorbing member 5 that would abut the region 10 of the chest protector 1 when the absorbing member 5 is attached to the front of the chest protector 1 as discussed above.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the perimeter of the absorbing member 5, if it were viewed from a front elevation view, would be substantially linear. In other embodiments, including the embodiment disclosed and detailed in FIGS. 3 and 4, the perimeter may not be substantially linear.

The backing plate 15 is preferably made of a rigid or soft material that has low elasticity. Because the backing plate 15 preferably has low elasticity, it is unlikely to deform in the event that a ball that impacts the absorbing member 5 or force from the ball reaches the backing member 15. It would be undesirable for the backing plate 15 to have a degree of elasticity that causes the backing plate 15 to deform. If the backing plate 15 were to deform, force from a ball that strikes the absorbing member 5 would deform the backing plate 15 and thus transfer to the chest of a wearer in the region 10. This could cause severe injury to a wearer.

In the illustrated embodiment, the plate 20 of the absorbing member 5 is an arcuate, convex plate that is attached to the backing plate 15 at end portions 25 of the absorbing member 5 that are disposed toward the shoulders of a wearer. The front plate 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2 curves, or bows, outwardly relative to the backing plate 15 away from the chest protector 1. However, in alternative embodiments not illustrated, the front plate 20 may be substantially flat, or it may even curve inwardly such that it is concave. The front plate 20 preferably is configured to distribute an impact or load such that a batted or pitched ball deflects off of the front plate 20, and the front plate 20 absorbs the majority or all of the energy from the errant ball. An example ball 30 is shown and illustrated in FIG. 2 striking the front plate 20. The front plate 20 may be made from a variety of materials that are able to distribute energy including metal, plastic, or a composite material.

An interior portion 35 provided between the backing plate 15 and the front plate 20 may either be hollow or filled with a foam or foam-like material, or another damping material. Whether the interior portion 35 is hollow or filled with a material, the front plate 20 acts to at least partially absorb the impact of a ball 30 and at least partially distribute its energy along the plate of the absorbing member 5 and the chest. In doing so, the absorbing member 5 preferably resists elongation. In other words, the two end portions 25 preferably resist partially or completely against distancing themselves from one another when the absorbing member 5 is struck. That way, a single peak load is preferably not provided on the chest that could, in particularly dangerous circumstances, manifest near the heart. In some embodiments, the backing plate 15 may be riveted to fabric of the chest protector or otherwise fixed thereto in order to further prevent the absorbing member 5 from elongating. In other embodiments, there may be no separate backing plate 15, such that the front plate 20 is riveted or otherwise attached directly to the chest protector 1 at end portions 25. In such an embodiment, the chest protector 1 itself would act as the backing plate 15 and help the front plate 20 to resist elongation upon impact.

The various materials and construction of the absorbing member 5 allows the absorbing member 5 to have a lightweight, efficient, and low profile design. Such characteristics are desirable to catchers and umpires who are often donning chest protectors like the chest protector 1 and other protective gear in warm weather environments during baseball and softball games.

A second embodiment of an absorbing member similar to the absorbing member 5, absorbing member 40, is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Like the absorbing member 5, the absorbing member 40 may include a backing plate 45 and a front plate 50. The backing plate 45, like the backing plate 15, preferably abuts a wearer's chest (or a chest protector 1 at the central near the central, upper region 10) when worn. Also, the front plate 50, like the front plate 20, preferably bows outwardly, though in alternative embodiments may be substantially flat or even bow inwardly. The absorbing member 40 may be attached to the chest protector 1 (or similar chest protector) in the same ways described above with respect to the absorbing member 5, including but not limited to hook and loop fasteners, stitching, or riveting.

The backing plate 45 and the front plate 50 are preferably attached to one another at end portions 55 that are substantially similar to the end portions 25 of the absorbing member 5. The backing plate 45 and the front plate 50 are preferably distanced from one another because of their connections at the end portions 55, thus providing an interior portion 60 between the backing plate 45 and the front plate 50. Like the interior portion 35, the interior portion 60 may be hollow in some embodiments, or it may be filled with foam, gel, or a similar material that increases the ability of the absorbing member 40 to absorb an impact from a ball like the ball 30.

Unlike the absorbing member 5, the absorbing member preferably includes a stiffening member 65 that is located within the interior portion 60 abutting each of the backing plate 45 and the front plate 50. The stiffening member 65 may help absorb impact of a batted ball and help prevent the absorbing member 40 from elongating or from such impact to translate to a wearer's body (and more specifically his or her heart). In a preferred embodiment, the stiffening member 65 extends substantially from a lower portion 70 of the absorbing member 40 to an upper portion 75 of the absorbing member 40. In other embodiments, the stiffening member 65 may extend only partially between the lower portion 70 and the upper portion 75. The stiffening member 65 may be permanently affixed to the plates 45, 50, for example by glue, or it may be integrally formed with those plates 45, 50. In yet other embodiments, it may be releasably attached to the plates 45, 50, for example by way of a friction fit. Alternatively, as in the illustrated absorbing member 5, the stiffening member 65 may be altogether absent in some embodiments.

In the illustrated embodiment, the stiffening member is comprised of two leg members 80 that meet at a spine member 85 to form a truss-like structure. The spine member 85 preferably abuts an inside surface of the front plate 50, and the leg members 80 preferably extend outwardly at an angle and rearwardly to abut an inside surface of the backing plate 45. The leg members 80 extending rearwardly may help to receive the impact of a ball and dissipate it more evenly within the absorbing member 40. The stiffening member 65 is preferably located toward the middle of the absorbing member 40 such that it is in substantial alignment with a midline thereof. In alternative embodiments, the stiffening member 65 may be located elsewhere within the interior portion 60 and alternatively oriented therein. Moreover, the stiffening member 65 may take on a number of sizes and shapes, including but not limited to a rectangular or triangular prism.

The illustrated embodiment of the absorbing member 40 is different in shape than the illustrated embodiment of the absorbing member 5. More particularly, along its upper portion 75, the absorbing member 40 includes a curved downward recess 90 that projects downwardly into each of the backing plate 45 and the front plate 50. This curved recess may serve a number of purposes, including providing a wearer with an increased range of motion. On either side of the recess 90, extending toward the side portions 55, the upper portion 75 tapers downwardly toward the lower portion 45. This too may provide an increased range of motion to a wearer.

The lower portion 70 of the absorbing member 40 and its plates 45, 50, are similarly non-linear, unlike the absorbing member 5. More particularly, the lower portion 70 of each of the plates preferably tapers inwardly from the side portions 55 toward the center of the absorbing member 40, to form an elongated recess 95.

It should be noted that various alternative embodiments exist with respect to the above described absorbing members 5, 40. Either of the members 5, 40 may take the shape of the other of the plates 5, 40. Moreover, either of the members 5, 40 may include a stiffening member such as the stiffening member 65.

It should also be noted that in some embodiments of the absorbing members 5, 40, no backing member is provided. In those embodiments, the front plate is preferably bowed and directly fastened (e.g., by riveting) to a portion of the chest protector, for example a portion of its fabric. In that embodiment, the front plate is preferably bowed outwardly so that a gap is provided between the front plate and the chest protector. That way, the front plate has some give, and it acts as a suitable impact absorber.

As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A garment for protecting a wearer from batted or thrown balls, the garment comprising: a chest protector; and an energy absorbing member for coupling with the chest protector, the energy absorbing member comprising: a backing plate for coupling with an upper central region of the chest protector, the backing plate including end portions; and a front plate coupled to the backing plate such that a hollow interior portion is provided between the backing plate and the front plate.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the front plate has a convex shape extending away from the backing plate.
 3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the hollow interior portion is stuffed with a foam or a foam-like material.
 4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the backing plate is made of material with low elasticity.
 5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the front plate is made of at least one of a metal, plastic, or a composite material.
 6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the chest protector includes a pocket for selectively receiving the energy absorbing member within the pocket.
 7. The garment of claim 1, wherein the backing plate includes a plurality of hook and loop fasteners and the upper central region of the chest protector includes a plurality of hook and loop fasteners selectively engageable with the hook and loop fasteners of the backing plate.
 8. The garment of claim 1, wherein the energy absorbing member is sewn into the chest protector in the upper central region of the chest protector.
 9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the energy absorbing member is riveted to the chest protector in the upper central region of the chest protector.
 10. The garment of claim 1, wherein the energy absorbing member includes a stiffening member between and abutting each of its backing plate and its front plate.
 11. A garment for protecting a wearer from batted or thrown balls, the garment comprising: a chest protector; and a front plate coupled to the chest protector, the front plate having a convex shape extending away from the chest protector such that a hollow interior portion is provided between chest protector and the front plate.
 12. The garment of claim 11, wherein the garment includes a backing plate attached to the chest protector to which the front plate is attached.
 13. The garment of claim 11, wherein the hollow interior portion is stuffed with a foam or a foam-like material.
 14. The garment of claim 12, wherein the backing plate is made of material with low elasticity.
 15. The garment of claim 11, wherein the front plate is made of at least one of a metal, plastic, or a composite material.
 16. The garment of claim 11, wherein the chest protector includes a pocket for selectively receiving the front plate within the pocket.
 17. The garment of claim 12, wherein the backing plate includes a plurality of hook and loop fasteners and the upper central region of the chest protector includes a plurality of hook and loop fasteners selectively engageable with the hook and loop fasteners of the backing plate.
 18. The garment of claim 11, wherein the front plate is sewn into the chest protector in the upper central region of the chest protector.
 19. The garment of claim 11, wherein the front plate is riveted to the chest protector in the upper central region of the chest protector.
 20. The garment of claim 11, wherein a stiffening member is provided between and abutting each of its backing plate and its front plate. 